Bayonne, NJ May 18, 2007 – The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority has received a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Covenant from the United States Army, clearing the way for development to move forward on The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor.

The United States Army issues a CERCLA Covenant once it is satisfied that all action necessary to protect human health and the environment with respect to any hazardous substances on the site from the date the property was transferred has been completed. The Army issued the CERCLA Covenant to the BLRA on March 14, 2007.

The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority had previously received a “No Further Action” letter from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the site, signifying the state’s satisfaction with BLRA’s cleanup efforts as well.

“Obtaining this Covenant from the United States Army was the next hurdle we had to clear in order for the redevelopers on The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor to move ahead with their projects,” said BLRA Executive Director Nancy Kist, Esq. “This Covenant covers 100 percent of our facility. With the Army’s acceptance of the environmental cleanup work completed on site, our property has become more marketable and valuable.”

It has taken the BLRA 4-and-a-half years to obtain the CERCLA Covenant from the United States Army. According to Kist, obtaining this agreement was a condition from all the redevelopers involved in the project before any property could be transferred.

“Environmental integrity is important in any project in the City of Bayonne, whether it is on The Peninsula or in an already established residential area,” said Bayonne Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr. “This Covenant shows that our city can undertake and successfully execute environmental cleanup and reclaim land for our citizens.”

About The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor
Since the U.S. Army transferred complete ownership of the former military base in 2002, the BLRA has raised more than $50 million in government grants and interim lease payments to make infrastructure improvements needed to attract development. These improvements include new bulkheads along the south side and environmental remediation that was completed in 2005, ahead of schedule. Other projects include the installation of a new sewer system, a new electrical grid and new roads.

Redevelopment of The Peninsula is organized around the creation of six different, yet integrated districts. In 2004, Cape Liberty Cruise Port opened, marking the first tangible step in the transformation of the 430-acre site. It resulted in 51 cruise ship calls in its first season and created 300 jobs.

In 2006 the BLRA approved plans for development of another district, Harbor Station North, which will consist of mid-rise housing, retail space, and park space adjacent to the 45th Street light rail station. The approval of redeveloper agreements for portions of Bayonne Bay begins the transformation of the third district into a vibrant mixed-use waterfront community. Conditional agreements with other developers for portions of the Landing and Loft Districts signify progress in other districts as well. The Landing will have a water transit docking facility surrounded by a commercial and entertainment area and mid-rise housing, while the Loft District will be converted to hip loft-style housing units adjacent to the ferry landing with spectacular views of New York.

For more information about The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor or The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, visit www.bayonnenj.org/blra.




 

Back To Press Releases